This afternoon at Urugwiro Village, President Paul Kagame received Jean Todt, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, and his wife, Michelle Yeoh, an award-winning actress and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador. The distinguished couple is in Rwanda to participate in the 20th edition of the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony, where they each named a baby gorilla.
The meeting highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to international partnerships in advancing road safety, sustainable development, and conservation. President Kagame commended the couple’s contribution to global causes, noting their dedication to raising awareness on issues that resonate with Rwanda’s own national priorities.
Jean Todt, who has served as UN Envoy for Road Safety since 2015, has been leading global efforts to address traffic-related injuries and fatalities, which remain a major challenge worldwide. His mission emphasizes the promotion of road safety policies, stronger institutional frameworks, and increased investment in safer infrastructure and transport systems. Rwanda, with its ongoing efforts to modernize road networks and promote responsible driving, continues to align with this global vision.
Michelle Yeoh, internationally celebrated for her career in film, has equally made her mark as an advocate for humanitarian causes. As a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador since 2016, she has been actively involved in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on poverty reduction, gender equality, and environmental protection. Her presence in Rwanda at this year’s Kwita Izina further underscores her longstanding commitment to sustainability and conservation.
Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s flagship conservation event, has over the past two decades become a global platform that brings together world leaders, conservationists, philanthropists, and celebrities to celebrate the country’s success in protecting the endangered mountain gorilla. The presence of Todt and Yeoh at this year’s ceremony highlights the international recognition Rwanda has gained as a leading nation in conservation.
By naming baby gorillas, participants not only celebrate Rwandan culture but also reinforce the importance of wildlife protection as an essential component of biodiversity and sustainable tourism. Rwanda’s mountain gorilla population, once critically endangered, has been steadily recovering thanks to conservation efforts spearheaded by the government, local communities, and international partners.
The meeting at Urugwiro Village also served as an opportunity to reflect on how conservation, sustainable development, and safety initiatives can intersect to improve lives globally. Rwanda’s partnerships with the United Nations and other global actors continue to strengthen its role as a hub for innovative approaches to sustainability and social progress.
President Kagame’s engagement with Jean Todt and Michelle Yeoh is yet another reflection of Rwanda’s active leadership on the international stage, where collaboration is essential in addressing the most pressing global challenges.
As Rwanda marks 20 years of Kwita Izina, the participation of such high-profile figures symbolizes the nation’s growing influence in conservation and global development. It also reinforces the message that protecting the environment, improving safety, and promoting sustainability are universal responsibilities that transcend borders.
